PR&USVI August 2012 Newsletter Caribbean E-Outlook

CaribbeanE-Outlook

Puerto Rico & USVI District Office Newsletter

Brought to you by the U.S. Small Business Administration

SBA Announces María de los Ángeles de Jesús as Deputy District Director in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

U.S. Small Business Administration Region II Administrator Jorge Silva-Puras recently announced the appointment of María de los Ángeles de Jesús as Deputy District Director for SBA’s Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands district office.

“We are very pleased to welcome María to the SBA,” Silva-Puras said. “Her extensive career in the federal service, and background in community development and commercial loan guaranty programs make up an ideal mix to serve small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the district. We look forward to working with María as our agency continues to foster the wellbeing of the economy’s most important sector.”

“As the daughter of a small rural entrepreneur, I have firsthand knowledge of what a small business is all about,” said de Jesús. “I believe in the leveraging of resources and collaborative efforts to strengthen the state of small business and help our economy move forward. I have accepted this new challenge with the commitment to contribute toward that effort.”

During a visit to the U.S. Virgin Islands a couple of weeks ago, newly appointed SBA Deputy District Director María de los Ángeles de Jesús (far right) and SBA St. Croix Senior Area Manager Carl Christensen met with Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen to discuss initiatives that will result in increased opportunities for the territory's small business community.

U.S. Small Business Administration Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands Deputy District Director María de los Ángeles de Jesús called on local agency stakeholders to join her on Tuesday, August 28 at SBA district office facilities to discuss matters currently affecting small businesses on the island.

“As we get ready to wrap-up fiscal year 2012, it is of utmost importance for us to listen to the concerns of our participating lenders and resource partners, and together seek ways of expanding the delivery of SBA programs and services,” de Jesús said. “We are committed to continue serving Puerto Rico’s small business community and fostering the island’s economic development through business start-ups and expansion, and job creation.”